West Hillsborough comes alive with Nash Street Block Party

Jack the Radio performs Saturday at Mystery Brewing's Taproom as part of the Nash Street Block Party.

Two curated stages and a wealth of food choices offer what three local businesses hope is a good excuse to discover west Hillsborough this weekend. Kicking off Friday evening and lasting through Saturday afternoon, the Nash Street Block Party is a collaboration of The Depot, Mystery Brewing and Hillsborough BBQ.

Festivities get started Friday night at The Depot with the music of Scarlett Rider and Megan Jean & the KFB. Saturday, the party starts at 3 p.m., with T.A. James, The Stringbeans, Dr. Bacon and Red's Rhythm appearing at The Depot's General Store music stage. Meanwhile, Mystery Brewing's new Taproom will present sets by local indie and roots acts Jeff Debonzo, The Debonzo Brothers, The Revolutionary Sweethearts and Jack the Radio.

It's a concerted push for three relatively young business in a tucked-away corner of Nash Street, a few blocks west of Hillsborough's Churton Street hub and adjacent to the Gold Park recreational complex. The Depot and Hillsborough BBQ are each about two-and-a-half years old; Mystery celebrated its first anniversary in February.

“West Hillsborough wants to be very collaborative,” says Meleah Gabhart of The Depot. Though this event is special, the spirit along Nash Street is ongoing, agrees Adam Ledford, general manager of Mystery Brewing. “All the businesses along this strip feel like there's value in sticking together and being great neighbors,” he says. “This block-party concept is just one of the ways to illustrate what a strength of community we have.”

This weekend's event is designed to have “kind of a fun little artsy vibe,” Ledford says. “With the pub, the barbecue and The Depot covering your food and beer and music, it's that nice place to go in Hillsborough where there's actually parking.”